Thinking of trying Shaklee? I’ll pay your membership fee! December 4, 2008

I love Shaklee and use the products all around my home – the kitchen, bath, medicine cabinet, makeup bag, and pantry.  My family is healthier and breathes easier.  My skin is glowing and looks better than ever.  My nails and hair are longer and stronger.

Would you like to bring Shaklee products into your home at a discount?  Become a member this month and I will pay your membership fee!  $19.95 pays for a lifetime membership; a lifetime 15% discount off of your purchases!

Not sure?  Take a look at my catalog – http://www.shaklee.net/sherylthompson/prodMain
If you see something you’d like to try, sign up, place your order, and I will refund the fee.  If you’d like to know what my family and I use, email me and I’ll tell you more.

This is not a company-wide promotion.

Happy shopping and thanks for looking!

Why is Now the HOTTEST Time to Join Shaklee? July 18, 2008

From now until July 31st, JOIN SHAKLEE ONLINE and get FREE SHIPPING!  Now more than ever, people need what Shaklee offers – better health and hope for the future in tough economic times.  This is a great way to get off to a fresh start with Shaklee! ACT NOW, because this promotion ends soon!

New people get FREE SHIPPING on their first order.  Here’s how it works:

• $19.95 Member Pack + 100 PV order (Points Given to Each Product) - FREE SHIPPING up to 9 lbs.
• $39.95 Distributor Welcome Kit + 100 PV order (Points Given to Each Product) - FREE SHIPPING up to 9 lbs.
• $299 GOLD Ambassador Program (BEST VALUE) - $8 off shipment of Mission PAK

Feel free to contact me to find out more about the Points mentioned above.  Our members do not have a monthly commitment to purchase!

Visit my website at www.GreenBizMama.com for more information or contact me.

Another reason to love Shaklee: Shaklee Wins Stevie Award! June 24, 2008

Shaklee Corporation Wins 2008 Stevie® Award for Best Corporate Environmental Responsibility Program

Shaklee is the first consumer products company to offset 100% of greenhouse gas emissions through the EPA Climate Leader’s program and use 100% green power PLEASANTON, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

Shaklee Corporation announced today that the company received the 2008 Stevie Award for the Best Corporate Environmental Responsibility Program at the 2008 American Business Awards held on Thursday, June 12, in New York City. The Stevie Awards were presented in over 40 categories including Best Overall Company, Best Executive, and Best Corporate Environmental Responsibility Program.

The Stevie Awards are the world’s premier business awards whose mission is to recognize and generate public awareness of excellence in the workplace. Shaklee received the award in recognition of numerous innovative projects, partnerships and achievements launched by the company in 2007, the latest in over fifty years of environmental stewardship and global “firsts,” including becoming the world’s first Climate Neutral™ certified company in 2000 resulting in a net zero impact on the environment.

In 2007, Shaklee became the first consumer products company to offset 100 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions through the U.S. EPA Climate Leaders Program and use certified Green-e renewable energy.

“We are honored to be recognized for our deep commitment to protect and preserve the environment. Shaklee was founded with the mission of making people and the planet healthier, values which are more relevant now than ever before,” said Shaklee CEO Roger Barnett.

“Our 750,000 members and distributors around the world believe that the right way to do business means doing what is right for people and for the planet. It is this innovative approach to business that has made Shaklee the environmental pioneer that it is today.”

Among other achievements in 2007, Shaklee partnered with Millennium Promise to facilitate direct emissions reductions by providing sustainable solar energy to electrify villages in Malawi, was selected by the nation’s leading child advocacy group, Healthy Child Healthy World, as the exclusive partner for a new video titled, “Creating Healthy Environments for Children” starring actress Amy Brenneman, and was awarded the Global Green USA Organizational

Design Award for outstanding leadership in spreading the message of improving the health of the planet through its network of more than 750,000 members and distributors.

2007 sales of the Shaklee Get Clean Starter Kit, offering non-toxic and environmentally-friendly cleaning choices, helped eliminate more than 23 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions and prevented more than 10 million pounds of landfill waste compared to conventional ready-to-use household cleaners.

Stevie award finalists were chosen by business professionals nationwide during preliminary judging in April and May. Details about The American Business Awards and the list of Finalists and Stevie Award winners are available at www.stevieawards.com/aba.

About Shaklee Corporation For 50 years, has been a leading provider of premium quality, natural nutrition, and personal care products, environmentally-friendly household products, and state-of-the-art air and water treatment systems.

In 2000, Shaklee became the first company in the world to be Climate Neutral™ certified to totally offset its CO2 emissions, resulting in a net zero impact on the environment. With a robust product portfolio, including more than 50 patents and patents pending worldwide, Shaklee has more than 750,000 Members and Distributors worldwide and operates in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, and soon, in China.

About The Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in four programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, The Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Honoring companies of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in business worldwide.

Learn more about Awards at www.stevieawards.com.

To learn more about Shaklee, visit: www.greenbizmama.com or contact me.

Global Sponsor of the 2008 Stevie Awards is Dow Jones. Supporting sponsors of The 2008 American Business Awards include FIS Softpro, High Performance Technologies Inc., John Hancock, RCN Corporation, Richardson, and Ultimate Software. Media sponsors include the Business TalkRadio Network, CRM Advocate, and Human Resource Executive.

WAHM life and sick days are such fun…. June 17, 2008

I don’t mean sick days for the kids, but for me.  I’m lucky that I don’t have to deal with anyone over the phone or via webcam.  I think I would have scared them today – ponytail just tossed on top of my head; glasses falling down my stuffy nose; jug of water and mugs of ginger tea at my side.

I think sick day productivity is a huge side benefit for employers of telecommuters.  I know I feel guilty enough about missing work that I’ll try to get something done.  And I’m not spreading my ick throughout the workplace.  I’m not spreading it at home, either; not this time, anyway.  This ick is due to some bad food at some point over the weekend and I’m still trying to pinpoint the exact item and location (possibly a Savannah, GA McDonald’s….)

I put in a half day today, partly because of how I felt and partly because of the big assignment due tomorrow.  I made it through the day without strangling anyone, accidentally shredding my notes, or terrifying my kids into silence.  (I’ve done that before and don’t want to repeat it. )

Just like a parent working outside of the home, the household duties don’t stop just because you feel like stopping.  But I’m lucky; my kids are old enough to help without making more work for me in the end.  The dogs, however, decided to help by running through the freshly sorted laundry piles and becoming ill themselves.

Oh man am I rambling this time around.  I think I’ll take my sleep-deprived self on to bed.  And hope that tomorrow will be the end of this ick.  I’m ready for a full day of work, refereeing a water gun fight during my lunch break, and teaching the kid about business, telecommuting, and time management.

What is Project MAHMA? June 7, 2008

Moms at Home Making a Difference.  Families across North America of all shapes and sizes are making a difference in their lives, homes, and communities with Shaklee.  We’ve changed how we clean, supplement our meals, and how we work.  We’re literally changing our and our families’ lives for the better.

How?  We started by joining Shaklee, shopping for our usual types of household and nutritional products, and sharing our experiences with others.  Neat, eh?

Like I mentioned before, I would be a customer even if I was not an Independent Distributor.  The products I use have made a huge impact on my life, my home, and my carbon footprint.

If you’d like to learn more, visit http://projectmahma.com/sherylthompson or join us for a Project MAHMA call one Saturday from 10:00-10:45 AM (CST). Dial in (212) 990-8000; access pin # 6262.

As always, best to you!  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

My weight loss & health improvement progress and a confession June 5, 2008

One thing that I’ve noticed about a few of the wahms and sahms that I’ve met is that we’re stressed. We spend a lot of time caring for the family and home while putting ourselves on the back burner. I’ve done it for so long that it feels strange to make time for myself. But it is something I had to do. Something we all have to do.

If we don’t care for ourselves, we will be in no shape to care for anyone else. It might not happen right away. Months may go by before your body gives out. Or your blood pressure become uncontrollable without meds. Or you lose hair, gain weigh, gain wrinkles and gray hairs, and/or make your families crazy.

I knew something had to change when my family started to tiptoe around me more often than not. And when I went shopping for an outfit for my brother’s wedding last December and it took forever to find something that wasn’t matronly. I’m not as big as I used to be, dangit, so I didn’t think it would be so hard. I wore a size 22 top and 18 bottoms. The pictures just about killed me.

In March of this year I decided I was no longer going to board the yo-yo express. I re-embraced my vegetarian way of life and pumped up the exercise. The exercise part was not easy because I’m recovering from a back injury & re-injury (and tend to be an all or nothing kind of woman). I walk, jump on the elliptical, mix in some yoga & pilates, and have added Turbo Jam & Slim Series Express (Slim in 6 part 2). While I still eat more fat and junk than I need, I have made some decent progress.

I started at 238 and am down to 227 (I gained 2 this week, dangit). I’ve lost 7 inches overall (4 on my waist) and reduced my body fat by 5%. I wear a size 18-20 top and 16 bottoms. I’m still off blood pressure and it only goes over 140/90 after coffee or black tea (which Ive cut to 16 oz. max a day – this is huge for this caffeine-addicted, insomniac mama). I was feeling great until Tuesday when my daughter graduated from 8th grade.

My baby’s going to high school! Sniff…. I digress.

After graduation we took a few pics with her friends and and us. I thought I looked pretty good. I was wearing a fab wine colored lace wrap top and a calf-length black skirt. I checked myself several times in the mirror to be sure it looked as good as I felt in it. Well, the pictures say something different. All I saw was the big girl looking even bigger while standing next to my gorgeous daughter. She’s 5’5″ and a size 3/4. We’d made dinner plans with my mother, brother and sister in law, so I put on a happy face when what I really wanted was to cry and scream. None of the progress I’d made mattered, just because of a few pictures.

Wednesday I felt better, but still bleah about it. Every bump and exaggerated curve bothered me. Being bothered by what I see isn’t enough to make me get off track for long. I am tempted, though, but not by sweets or fat. The desire to comfort myself by feeding my sadness is screaming out loud. I’m ignoring my inner demons and enjoying a cup of lemon tea and a big glass of water. I’m concentrating on the next 10 pound goal, not on the supposed quick fix that a sandwich would bring at 1am.

I now I’m not alone in this. There are hundreds of people struggling with those demons right now. And beating them back, eventually freeing themselves completely. I’m ready to be one of the successful ones. Who’s with me?

Tuesday Toot – a little late, lol May 29, 2008

But it’s been that kind of week!  School’s almost out for DD, DS is already out, and the house hunt has entered the final stages – we hope.  Throw in surgery for the pup (more on that later) and a vacationing hubby, and WAHM life is even crazier than usual.

This is the Tuesday Toot (Thursday in my case, lol).  Basically I get to toot my own horn and see how other blogging mamas are tooting theirs.  It’s inspiring, and not in a cheesy, Stepford-like way.

I’ve mentioned before that I’m improving my health and getting back into shape.  Well, I’ve been making awesome progress.  The scale isn’t moving as quickly as I’d like, but I’m down to 225, have lost 2 % body fat, and my endurance is way up.  I’m sleeping better, eating better, and feel better all aound.

Even on my bad days I feel good.  I couldn’t have done with without my hubby’s support & my girls – Lisa, Elizabeth, Carrie, Heather, Eboni, Char, & my CafeMom goddesses! All of my girls are online buddies, but are just as inspiring as if they were working out next to me or chatting over coffee.

Eboni says it’s not weight loss, but weight removal and I’m going to use that phrase from now on.  If you lose something it could come back, but once removed, it’s gone.

Have a fab Thursday and remember to always find something to toot your own horn about!

A little more about my green life May 21, 2008

I’ve mentioned before that I’ve been a green mom longer than I’ve been a green biz mom.  I drove my mother crazy with my recycling, vegetarian-leaning, liberal ways, but I’m a better person and mom because of it.  I want to give our Mother as much love as I can and help heal her.  I know my individual efforts are small, but if each of us does our part, we can help.

Recycling is a given – paper, bottles, cans, dryer sheets, clothing – everything we can.  We donate the kids’ (and our) outgrown clothing to Goodwill, have reduced the amount of waste we produce and amount of energy we use, and reuse goodies that we can find.  I have an old console tv body that mom was going to toss and use it as a plant stand.  It means the world to me that my husband and kids are also on board, and that in general the world is becoming a greener place.  Even if it is the trendy thing to do.

Let’s go back to the beginning.  I was born at 11:59 pm on March 30, 1069…Too far back?  K.

When I was 12-13 I told my mom I wanted to be a vegetarian.  She said ok, then loaded my pate with meat, veggies cooked with meat, and rice cooked in chicken broth and told me to eat. She said that until I started cooking or had a job and could buy my own food, I had to eat what she cooked.  So I did.  Until I hit 17 and got my first real job (I wanted to work before then, but she wouldn’t allow it).  I started limiting meat and increasing veggies, bread, and cheese.  Oh how I loved cheese!  When I got my own place I discovered Books, Herbs, & Spices, a local  health food store, and became a regular.  My love of cookbooks and all things cooking blossomed then, and I saw food as an adventure.

[Yes, vegetarians can be heavy!  I just hadn't learned how to balance out the things I loved with things that I loved but should limit.  Even Fruity Pebbles is vegan, but that didn't mean I should eat it for breakfast, second breakfast, late snacks, etc.]

I also learned more about my impact on the environment and set on the path to reducing my contribution to Mother Earth’s pain.  I walked, rode my bike, and rode the bus more often than starting up the car.  I cleaned my apartment with vinegar, baking soda, Borax, & lemon juice concoctions.  Air freshener was usually some orange or lemon peel tossed in boiling water with a cinnamon stick or plain.  I bought a couple canvas shopping bags and took them everywhere – and had clerks put the plastic or paper bags inside the canvas bags.  I washed my cans and bottles & lugged them to the recycling center about 20 minutes from home.  And then DD was born.

I occasionally ate meat while pregnant because she craved it.  Then decided she didn’t like it.  Mom would drop off food after DD arrived – usually a roast or casserole – and I’d eat it because I was too tired to argue about it, hungry, and not up to cooking.  I went back & forth for a while flirting with a veg way of life and a generally healthier way of life.  Then I met hubby.  We ate out often.  By often I mean weekly.  I gained at least 80 pounds and was already heavy when he & I met.  I’m not sure how much I actually gained because I stopped weighing myself when I saw the scale hit 252.

Fast forward to more current events.  In April 07 hubster was away for a training session so I took the Toronto Vegetarian Association’s Veggie Challenge and was meat free for months.  Then I had a craving and fed it.  And regretted it over the following days while my body yelled at me.  Last October I joined Shaklee and started a new supplement regimen and between it and my way of eating I’d dropped a few pounds, gained energy, and reduced my blood pressure.  I’ve been visiting sites like Lime, Green Mommy Guide, and my fav veg communities and blogs for more tips and hints on keeping on track.  I participated in Earth Hour and spend my cash in places that do their part to save the Earth.  I receive and pay bills electronically and have cut down on a lot of mail.

I went veg for my health.  I went green for the Earth and my children.  I keep on this path because I couldn’t go back to living any other way  It’s a part of me and I know my family is happier and healthier because it.

There is a lot happening with this WAHM during Women’s Health Week! May 13, 2008

As usual, your friendly neighborhood insomniac workaholic wahm is busy. For once classes are not a part of the routine, but that will change in a couple of weeks.

It’s vet time for the dogs, my babies and my mom’s sweetheart, Rosie. That’s going to be a fun couple of days I tell ya. Meetings galore for my daughter this and over the next few weeks since she’ll be leaving middle school and headed to high. Sniff. My baby’s not a baby anymore – she’s a moody, angst-filled, Goddess! It had to happen. Can’t keep ‘em frozen in time.

All week I’ll be participating in MommyFest, but then again I’ve told you that. I’ve been enjoying it so far. It’s been good to see what the other blogging moms are up to, what their businesses, work, and lives are like…and to see that I’m not the only one chatting away in cyberspace.

On the health front, I’ve been challenged! I’m a Skinny Bitch wannabe and so are the girls plodding away with me. Most are vegetarians and all are trying to cut down and out the crap we’ve been eating. I’m also pushing play every day with a mix of walking, Slim Series Express (a Slim in 6 follow-up) and Turbo Jam, and Pilates – yep, another challenge. I’ve been successfully released from my third round of physical therapy and am cleared to do most exercise. As much as I’d like to hit Turbo Jam daily, I have to skip a day or two between those workouts. I’d rather see the slow steady changes in my body than end up on my back again because I tried too much too soon.

I’m also taking part in the WOMAN Challenge sponsored by the US Department of Health & Human Services. When I complete the 8 week challenge I’ll get a nifty certificate mailed to me and the satisfaction of reaching my goals. (Thanks Heather for turning me on to this! I’m headed cross country – you?) It’s free and there’s something about a challenge that gets me going!

If you decide to join and want to team up, just give me a shout. Our daughters can participate, too.

Speaking of health, did you know it was Women’s Health Week? Come on ladies, let’s get it in gear! Let’s get to know our bodies so well that we know when something is wrong. Check your blood pressure. Make note of your headaches and see what triggers them. Know your cholesterol & triglyceride numbers. Check those boobies monthly.

There’s another challenge for me this week. Well, it’s an everyday thing: make sure my loved ones know I love them. They always need to know. And if you’re in the middle of a disagreement, it makes you look like the bigger person when you express your love.

Until tomorrow!